Illuminating apparatus for display purposes



Aug. 9,1932. 1,871,073

E. B. MONHEIM. NOW BY MARRIAGE E. B. WALKER ILLUMINATING APPARATUS FORDISPLAY PURPOSES Filed Dec. 16, 1929 INVENTOR g; B. Moafielh;

Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT orrice ELSIE B. MONHEIM, NOWBY MARRIAGE ELSA. B. WALKER, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON Application filed.December 16, 1929. Serial lid-414,375.

This invention relates to illusion apparatus, and more particularly, todevices of this character designed for advertising or decorativepurposes, such as sign boards, window '5' displays, and such, in amanner whereby an interesting and attractive lighting effect is producedto the display.

The object, generally speaking, is the provision, in apparatus of thischaracter, of means whereby the effect of motion is given to light raysemigrating from a hidden source. 7

A further object resides in the manner of producing a difi'usion,through a plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed at varying angles ofpitch, a most efiicient illumination to the display surface. Further andmore specific objects and advantages, will, it is believed, becomeapparent.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement andcombination of devices as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a sign board embodying structurepeculiar to the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section tothe same. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view indicating, in a substantialhorizontal section through apparatus as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, theeffective direction to emigrating light rays. Fig .4: is an enlargeddetail longitudinal vertical section of a preferred embodiment of thepresent conception of mechanism for imparting motion to the light rays,parts being shown in side elevation.

Reference being had to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1-3,I provide, mounted as shown, substantially centrically above a signboard 5, a hood 7 housing, to the rear of the sign board 9, a source oflight, such as the filament of an electric lamp 8, peculiar structuretherewith being hereinafter described in detail.

Said hood is preferably disposed to project to a relative distancebeyond the face of the board providing on its inner face, a plurality ofmirrors 11.

As indicated by a vertical section (Fig.

2) through the source of lightrays, said mirrors are desirably arrangedin varying angles progressively increasing outwardly from a substantialhorizontal to a right angular disposition.

As disclosed in- Fig. 3, I indicate, in horizontal section, similarprogressive angular dispositions to the mirror reflectors, which ineffect provide conjointly, a prismatic surface similar to the facets ofa diamond.

Particular attention being had to Fig. 4, the sign frame provides acabinet 12, within which cooperative spaced standards 20, 21, arearranged to support a hollow arbor 13, said arbor acting as a journalbearing for a pair of rotative bushingsl, 15 sleeved one within theother, and respectively secured to rotative base plates 16, 17.

18 represents a socket provided by said arbor for the reception'of theaforedescribed globe 8, wiring 19 passing through the arbor bore. Asindicated, I provide, secured to the rims 24:, 25, of said base plates,a pair of semi-globular lenses 22, 23, the surface of which may befrosted, variably colored, or as shown, providing a plurality ofmarkings, such as l8, arranged to intercept the emigrating light rays.

I contemplate actuating said globes in oppositional directions oftravel, to such end providing, secured to respective bushings, drivenspurgears 26 and 27.

28, 29 and 30 represent reduction gearing from a power source such as amotor M. An idler 31' is interposed for meshing engage 'Inent betweengears 26 and 30.

The" invention involves a multiplicity of light rays, conjugatingsuccessively over a display surface. Illusions of drifting snow, heatwaves, sand drifts, and such, are achieved, dependent upon the use ofselective globularefl'ects; V

The illustrative description of the now preferred embodiment of theinventionis believed clear from the foregoing. However, I do not wish tobe taken as confining myself specifically thereto, except as limited bythe scope of the claims hereto annexed' What I claim, is,

. 1. Advertising apparatus comprising, in

combination with a display, a hood projecting beyond the face of thedisplay, said hood providing a reflecting inner surface arranged inprismatic facets, angularly disposed, one to I the other, about asubstantial 180 arc, means to introduce light rays to said reflectinginner surface, and means to impart an effect, of motion to said lightrays across the face of the display.

2. In apparatus as described in claim 1,

wherein certain of said light rays travel in 1 oppositional directions.c 3. In illuminating apparatus for a display, the combination with ahood arranged to house a source of light and havingthe inner surfaceformed to provide a plurality of angularly disposed reflecting facets,of-means' to impart an efl'ect ofoppositional directive I travel acrossthe face ofthedisplay to light rays from said source reflected'by saidfacets.

4. In illuminating apparatus for display purposes, the combinationwith-a hood arranged to house a source of light and having the innersurface formed to provide a substantially arcuately disposed reflectingsurface, of means to impart an eflect of oppositional directive travelacross the faceof the display to the light rays from said source introduced to said surface;

5. Illuminating apparatusfor display purposes including a hood arrangedto house a source of light and having the'inner surface formed toprovide a plurality of angularly disposed reflecting facets from Whichthe light rays from said source are reflected, and means to impart aneffect of motion to said light rays across the face of the display.

i 6. Illuminating apparatus for display purposes-comprising, incombination with the 40 display, a source of light for'illuminating saiddisplay, a hood arranged to house' said 7 sourceof light,'said hoodproviding an inner surface adapted to impart variable angles ofreflection to light rays from said source in reflecting the sametherefrom to the display,

and means for imparting an effect of motion to such light rays from thesource-reflected over thedi'splay.

7. Illuminating apparatusfor display pur- V .poses comprising, incombination with the display, a source of light for illuminating saiddisplay, a hood arranged to house said source of light, said hoodproviding an inner surface adapted to impart variable angles ofreflection to light rays from said source-in reflecting the sametherefrom to the display, and means for imparting an effect ofoppositional directive travel'to such light rays from the sourcereflected over the display.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 6th day of December, 1929.

' A ELSIE B. MONHEIM,

N 020 by marriage ELSA B. WALKER.

